Connector and alerting device

ABSTRACT

The present invention connects to tubing through which gas flows to a patient. An alert notifies monitoring personnel that oxygen flow to the patient has been interrupted, because the tubing has been disconnected. The invention comprises an adapter that is connected to a gas or oxygen source and a nipple over which the tubing fits and through which oxygen flows to the patient. When the tubing becomes disconnected from the nipple, the oxygen flow actuates an alert. In one embodiment, the invention includes a fixed arm and a swing arm. A latch and a spring that pull the fixed arm and swing arm toward each other connect the two arms. When the tubing becomes disconnected, one arm rotates and activates a switch that sends a signal to an alert that is preferably audible.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 9,764,105,filed Aug. 15, 2014, and issued Sep. 19, 2017.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is for use in systems that administer oxygen orother gases, such as a patient's oxygen found in hospital rooms, nursinghomes, and even in patient residences. Its purpose is to alert medicalor other attendant personnel, or even the patient himself, that tubinghas become disconnected from an oxygen source, and to indicate that apatient is no longer receiving oxygen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For patient care, a monitor or alerting device should be a criticalcomponent where oxygen tubing is used with a flow regulator and where aconcern exists that the tubing can become disconnected, thusinterrupting oxygen flow to the patient. Until now, such a device hasnot existed. This need for an alerting device can occur where tubing isconnected to a gas supply through a flow regulator, and eventually to anasal prong or face mask, such as in hospital rooms, nursing homes,outpatient and convalescent facilities, doctor's offices, diagnostic andprocedure rooms, operating rooms, and private homes. In many situations,a barbed nipple, sometimes combined with a nut adapter (and alsocommonly referred to as a barbed nipple adapter or Christmas treeadapter), is attached to a flow regulator combined with a source ofoxygen. Then, tubing runs from the barbed nipple to the patient's nasalcannula or facemask. Unfortunately, in these situations there is nowarning device to alert medical personnel, or anyone looking after thepatient, that the tubing has become disconnected from the barbed nippleand that a gas is flowing freely into the ambient air.

There are many potentially serious consequences of oxygen flowingthrough a barbed nipple adapter with the tubing disconnected. Mostserious are the consequences of a patient not receiving oxygen. Medicalpersonnel may not be aware of or alerted to that situation, believing apatient is receiving oxygen when in fact he is not. The same issuearises when a patient is responsible for administering and monitoringhis own oxygen. Without an adequate supply of oxygen, the body's cellscan stop functioning. Consequently, the patient can suffer hypoxia,stroke, brain damage, paralysis, poor wound healing, or other graveproblems while medical personnel incorrectly believe the patient isreceiving oxygen. This situation also wastes oxygen, an expensive andcritical medical resource, and heightens the combustibility andflammability of the oxygen-enriched environment around the patient.

Safety and monitoring are becoming increasingly important in everyaspect of clinical practice. Evidence is accumulating that clinical andhospital errors of all types are a far greater cause of morbidity anddeath than the medical profession has previously realized. Tracingindividual outcomes back to their cause is not always possible, and evenwhen it is, the medical profession is obligated to address both knownand reasonably anticipated problems. Therefore, every aspect of clinicalcare must be scrutinized for safety, potentially deleterious effects,and the possibility of improvement. There has been a long-felt need toquickly identify when an oxygen tubing line has become disconnected fromthe oxygen source for the patient, because of its potentially fatalconsequences. For decades, medical personnel have expressed theirfrustration with this problem. A solution would save medical resourcesand money, and, even more importantly, decrease preventable morbidityand mortality, i.e., prevent adverse unfavorable medical events and savelives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the longstanding problem of the undetecteddisconnection of an oxygen tubing line. It is a safety device foralerting monitoring personnel that the tube providing oxygen to thepatient has become disconnected. The invention improves upon thelong-used barbed nipple, which previously has provided a connectingfunction without the safety of a disconnect warning, i.e., that nasal ormask tubing has been disconnected. The present invention detects thedisconnection of tubing from the nipple and produces an alert thatindicates the failure to deliver oxygen to the tube and ultimately thepatient or some apparatus.

In one embodiment the invention comprises a fixed arm and a swing arm.The fixed arm includes a preferably barbed nipple that can be attachedto gas tubing going to a patient, and an adapter to connect the nippleto the flow regulator or gas source. The flow regulator attachmentmechanism may take a variety of forms, such as a screw-on or push-ontype. The swing arm is attached to the fixed arm at the base with ahinge and is comprised of with a spring and an alerting mechanism, suchas a whistle or buzzer. The alert is actuated when tubing becomesdisconnected from the nipple. The spring is releasably engageable with astop or latch that is on the fixed arm. Preferably the spring is a leafspring configured in a generally sinusoidal shape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Below is a detailed description of the invention and its novel aspectsand a variety of equivalents, and in that context refers to thefollowing figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention before it is put to use.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the invention while it is connected to atube that delivers gas to the patient.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the invention when the tubing has beendisconnected from the barbed nipple.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a section view through FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment that includes amicroswitch and an alarm circuit chip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-3 depict one embodiment of the invention 10. FIG. 1 shows theinvention 10 before it is used; FIG. 2 shows it in use, with tube 40connected to nipple 30, with oxygen flowing through the tube to thepatient (not shown). Nipple 30 preferably though not necessarilyincludes barbs 32. FIG. 3 shows invention 10 in use when tube 40 hasbecome disconnected from nipple 30, so that oxygen will pass throughwhistle 50 and alert personnel attending the patient. Gas, typicallyoxygen, flows in direction A, from the source of the gas toward thepatient. In locations like a hospital room or nursing home, the nozzleis typically connected to a flow regulator attached to a wall of theroom (not shown). Oxygen is supplied, usually from a remote source, tothe flow regulator, the nipple, and then tubing that connects to apatient's mask or nasal cannula. The source of the gas, the presence ofgas flow regulators, and other such equipment are not part of theinvention. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-3, a swing arm 59pivots about hinge 67, which connects to base 60 that extends from oneend 66 to the other end 68 of base 60. Spring 70 is attached to base 60and curves around to spring end 75. The spring 70 has a somewhatirregularly shaped sinusoidal configuration, which increases the forcethe spring can hold. A fixed arm 20, which includes nipple 30 with barbs32 and threaded nut adapter 22, is connected to the swing arm 59 byhinge 67, located between point 27 a on the fixed arm 20 and point 27 bon the swing arm 59. A stop comprised of surfaces 69 a and 69 b preventhinge 67 from allowing too much relative movement of fixed arm 20 andswing arm 59 when the invention is not being used and is in an open,unlatched position as shown in FIG. 1. In the depicted embodiment,female threads of threaded nut adapter 22 are typically attached to aflow regulator or wall outlet having an adapter with male threads (notshown). Other threaded and non-threaded connections are also known inthe art and can be used. Moreover, the invention should not be limitedto a connection with wall outlets. It can be used wherever nippleadapters and similar such devices connect tubing to sources of gas withflow regulators, as is often seen on oxygen tanks. Similarly, theinvention's connection to the source of the gas, such as by threaded nutadapter 22, is not restricted to threads as shown in FIG. 1. Flangesjoined by screws, or snap-on, clip-on, push-on or other types ofconnections, may also be used. It goes without saying that the inventionis not limited to use with oxygen, although that is the typical gas thatis provided to the patient.

FIG. 2 depicts how the invention is set up while oxygen is flowing tothe patient. Prior to using the invention, tube 40 is slid over nipple30 with barbs 32. The friction created by the preferably conical frustumshape of nipple 30, together with barbs 32, secures the tube 40 inplace. In a typical use of the invention, such as in a hospital room ornursing home, tube 40 can connect directly to a mask or nasal cannula(not shown) used by a patient. Tubing may also be connected toequipment. To engage the alerting function, threaded nut adapter 22 isthreaded, snapped, or pushed on, or otherwise attached to a source ofoxygen and a flow regulator. Then, pressure is applied to swing arm 59,which rotates around hinge 67 while fixed arm 20 with nipple 30 remainsstationary. Continued application of force to swing arm 59 pushes thetop of spring 70 down so spring end 75 moves toward fixed arm 20. Springend 75 slides over latch 25 of fixed arm 20, so that the two areengaged. Once spring end 75 engages latch 25, spring 70 continues tourge swing arm 59 toward nipple 30, as seen in FIG. 2. tube 40 must bestiff enough so that the force exerted by spring 70 does not squeeze orcrimp the tubing, which would limit or block the flow of gas to thepatient.

FIG. 3 depicts the invention when tube 40 has been accidentallydisconnected from nipple 30, so that no oxygen is flowing to thepatient. Spring end 75 remains engaged with latch 25, so that withoutthe presence of tube 40, as shown in FIG. 2, swing arm 59 pivots so thatsurface 64 of base 60 engages end 37 of nipple 30. Interior flow path 35of nipple 30 aligns with aperture 52 and flow path 65 of base 60. As aresult, oxygen flowing through flow path 35 of nipple 30 passes throughwhistle 50, which is embedded in base 60. The whistle sounds as oxygenexits through aperture 54, alerting the personnel attending the patient.

The invention does not necessarily require that a separate whistlestructure be embedded in base 60. An alternative to the embodimentdepicted in FIGS. 1-3 is a unitary piece of thermoplastic in which aninterior whistle chamber is created inside and as part of base 60. Thisresult can be accomplished because embodiments like the one in FIGS. 1-3can be manufactured by, for example, a 3D printer or a lost foam mold.Nevertheless, the invention should not be limited to such a unitarystructure, and can be made of other materials, such as stainless steel,and can be manufactured using other methods. Likewise, as discussedbelow in relation to FIGS. 6-7, the alert mechanism need not be limitedto a whistle.

FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of the invention 110. A threadedadapter 120 is part of nipple 130 with barbs or ridges 132. Oxygentravels through flow path 135 the direction of arrow. Nipple 130 has athreaded adapter 120 with threads 122. One end of tube 140 connects tothe end of nipple 130, so that oxygen can flow through tube 140 and to amask or cannula on the patient's face (not shown). Whistle 150 is partof threaded adapter 120 and barbed nipple 130. When tube 140 isdisconnected from nipple 130, the invention 110 functions somewhat likea whistle used by police or by referees of athletic contests. Oxygenflowing in the direction of arrow A divides at tip 151, causing awhistling sound. Some oxygen follows along flow path 135 and out the end137 of nipple 130, while some oxygen passes through aperture 152 intochamber 157. The swirling oxygen B in chamber 157 moves ball 155 insidechamber 157, creating the distinctive whistle sound associated with apoliceman's or referee's whistle.

In contrast, when tube 140 is connected to barbed nipple 130, noalerting sound is created. The oxygen moving along flow path 135 throughbarbed nipple 130 into tube 140 creates enough back pressure in chamber157 of whistle 150 that chamber 157 tends to remain filled with oxygen.Thus, no flow can divide at edge 151 to create the whistle alert. Anysound that whistle 150 might create becomes muffled and attenuated as itmoves through tube 140 toward the patient, so that it is imperceptibleand does not create any false alarms.

FIG. 5 depicts yet another embodiment 210 of the present invention. InFIG. 5 the nipple 230 includes an aperture 254 that connects with theflow path 235. When a tube (not shown) is removed from the end of nipple230, oxygen flowing over edge 251 creates a whistle sound. If the tube(not shown) covers aperture 254 of whistle 250, as it would when apatient is receiving oxygen, then oxygen cannot flow over edge 251 tocreate a whistle.

FIGS. 6-7 represent an embodiment of the invention that includes anelectronic alert mechanism. As shown in FIG. 6, the exterior of thisembodiment is quite similar in appearance and mechanical operation tothe embodiment in FIGS. 1-3, with correspondingly similar numerals. Theinvention or connector 300 has a fixed arm 320 that includes nut adapter322 and nipple 330 with barbs 332. Arrow A represents the flow directionthat traverses flow path 335 exits through nipple end 337. Swing arm 359includes base 360 and spring 370. Hinge 367 connects fixed arm 320 andswing arm 359, while stop surfaces 369 a, 369 b limit the relativerotation of the fixed and swing arms 320, 359 about hinge 367. Similarto FIG. 2, spring end 375 can engage latch 325, so that if tubing (notshown in FIGS. 6-7) were mounted on nipple 330, spring 370 wouldcontinue to urge swing arm 359 toward nipple 330. If tubing weredisconnected from nipple 330 while spring end 375 and latch 325 wereengaged, then nipple end 337 would align with aperture 352, so that gaswould flow from fixed arm 320 into swing arm 359.

As shown in the FIG. 7 cross-section, the interior of swing arm 359 isdifferent from the interior of swing arm 59 in FIGS. 1-3. In FIG. 7 thealert mechanism includes a switch 380, a battery 385 located on circuitboard 387, microprocessor 390, and a noise generator such as buzzer 395.When tubing (not shown) is mounted on nipple 330 and spring end 375 andlatch 325 are latched together, similar to the depiction of FIG. 2. Oncelatched, a slight force pulling swing arm 359 away from fixed arm 320causes switch 380 to contact battery 385 and circuit board 387. A smallcurrent flows through circuit board 387 to microprocessor 390, which mayinclude a resistor as a heating element, and a temperature sensor. Aslong as the tubing is connected, and there is a heat source, thethermistor senses no temperature cooling as would occur if gas tubingdisconnects and gas were to flow through the swing arm and over circuitboard 387 microprocessor 390. Thus, the alert mechanism perceivesconnector 300 as working properly, i.e., no alert is actuated when thetubing is connected to a patient or an apparatus. If swing arm 359 andfixed arm 320 close because tubing comes off the end of nipple 330, gasflows through nipple end 337, aperture 352, flow path 350, over thesensor in microprocessor 390, and out aperture 354. The flowing gascools the sensor in microprocessor 390, which in turn causes buzzer 395to sound or some other form of alert to actuate. Opening 397 permits theescape of the signal from buzzer 395, which could also be an alert suchas a light. Subject to environmental and workplace regulations, andpatient considerations, it is contemplated that the buzzer will generatea sound of 70-75 dB at 10 centimeters.

For cost and reliability, a simple configuration like the precedingdescription of the alert mechanism is preferred. Simpler configurations,however, also fall within the spirit of the invention. For example, asimple mechanical switch with electrical contacts (not shown) couldreplace the temperature sensing mechanism described in the precedingparagraph. If tubing were to come off nipple 330, so swing arm 359 wouldrotate toward fixed arm 320, one arm would physically contact the otherarm in such a way as to activate a battery powered circuit that wouldsend a signal to the alert mechanism. Those of skill in the artunderstand that such a switch could be configured in any of numerousways at different locations on connector 300.

Furthermore, the electrically actuated alert presents the possibility ofadding useful features. One useful feature would be a timing circuitthat provides a delay—perhaps 10 or 15 seconds—before actuating thealert mechanism. This would prevent an unnecessary loud noise if someoneimmediately perceived the disconnected tubing and took action. Asanother feature, the noise generator or buzzer 395 in connector 300could be located remotely from connector 300, either elsewhere in thepatient's room or even at a monitoring station remote from the room. Theremotely located noise generator could be wirelessly linked to connector300. In such cases the alerting mechanism need not even be a noisegenerator. For example, it could be a flashing light, a messageappearing on a monitoring screen, or some combination of visual andsound alerts generated in one or more locations simultaneously.

FIG. 8 depicts yet another embodiment of the present invention. Here theinvention 400 is comprised generally of fixed arm 420 and swing arm 459.It should be understood that, while the figure depicts the swing armabove the fixed arm, the invention is not so limited, and may beoriented in any direction. Fixed arm 420 includes nut adapter 422 andbarbed nipple 430 with barbs 432. At the bottom portion of nut adapter422 is latch 425. Gas flows through the interior of fixed arm 420 in thedirection indicated by arrow A. Swing arm 459 has a base 460 and spring470. Latch 425, hinge 440, and spring 470 urge swing arm 459 to rotatearound hinge 440 toward fixed arm 420 in a manner similar to thatdescribed for the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-3.

As with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, when a tube (not shown in FIG. 8)is on barbed nipple 420, it prevents fixed arm 420 and swing arm 459from completely moving or rotating toward each other. If the tube comesoff barbed nipple 430, spring 470 causes swing arm 459 to rotate furthertoward fixed arm 420. The rotation is sufficient to bring button 450into contact with the bottom 423 of nut adapter 422. Button 450 is partof a microswitch that includes electrical contacts 452 located insideswing arm 459. When button 450 is depressed slightly, it makesconnection with electrical contacts 452. This causes an electricalcurrent to flow in circuit board 455, located in electrical compartment451 with sound port 453, all of which are in swing arm 459. The currentactuates an audible alarm (not shown) located on circuit board 455. Inthe preferred embodiment, circuit board 455 contains a microprocessorthat can be programmed to control a variety of parameters. These caninclude the delay (if any) in sounding the alarm after the tube has beendisconnected, the duration of the alarm, and the timing cycle (if any)during which the alarm can be intermittently turned on and off. Circuitboard 455 also contains, or is connected to, a small battery (not shown)to power the alert mechanism. The circuit board or the microprocessormay also contain a monitoring circuit to check the battery strength, sothere is no electronic failure of the device.

As depicted in FIG. 8, the sound from the alarm travels through soundport 453. Alternatively, or additionally, the sound could travel througha passageway in button 450 and into the surrounding air so that thealarm or alerting sound can be heard. As discussed earlier, theinvention need not have an audible alert directly attached to swing arm459. Circuit board 455 can generate a WIFI or BLUETOOTH® signal to aremote receiver that can be located in a patient's room or even at anurses' station. The receiver, in turn, can relay the signal tovirtually any kind of electronically controlled alert, whether it is awhistle, a siren, a flashing light, or even a spoken voice.

Manual reset button 475 permits medical personnel to shut off the alarm.Alternatively, the invention could have a remote, wireless shutoffmechanism. For patient safety reasons, some care should be exercised indesigning who can reset the device and how.

It should be noted that, unlike other embodiments, swing arm 459 doesnot require a passageway through which escaping oxygen can flow (see,e.g., aperture 52, FIG. 1 and aperture 352 FIG. 6). The reason for thisis that the present embodiment does not require flowing oxygen toactuate an audible alarm like a whistle or to actuate a signal thatultimately causes an alert to be sounded. In the FIG. 8 embodiment, whenthe tube does come off, ideally end 437 of barbed nozzle 430 does notsit flush against surface 480.

Variations of the described embodiments fall within the spirit and scopeof the invention, which is to be limited only by the following claimsand their equivalents. For example, those of skill in the art understandthat the present invention must seal tightly to a flow meter, regulatoror wall outlet, or wherever the connection to the oxygen source islocated. Precision threads, clamps, seals, and other materials may beused to insure oxygen does not leak. Those of skill in the art alsorecognize the interchangeability of many mechanical parts. For example,a “nut adapter” can just as easily be changed to be a bolt adapter, malethreaded adapter, push-on, wedge-on, or snap-on adapter. Thus, virtuallyany leak-proof connection between the oxygen source and the inventionwould also come within the scope of the invention, even if it did notpossess the interlocking threads of a nut and bolt. Spring 70 and hinge67 can also be substituted for by a variety of equivalent springs andhinges known to those of skill in the art. As previously noted, theinvention is not limited to use with oxygen. Also, while it is preferredthat a nipple have barbs, if barbs are used they are not necessarilysharp in the same sense as barbed wire has sharp barbs. Those of skillin the art understand that barbs on a nipple adapter are typically aseries of adjacent or spaced ridges.

Other, more significant changes can be made while still falling withinthe scope of the invention. For example, the embodiment depicted in FIG.4 need not incorporate chamber 157 or ball 155. Instead, a piezoelectricsensor could be placed inside flow path 135 of nozzle 130, so thatwithout chamber 157 nozzle 130 would retain a generally conical frustumshape. The sensor can be pre-programmed to determine the change inoxygen pressure and velocity in flow path 135. If a tube were to becomedisconnected from the end of barbed nipple 130, the sensor would signalan alert mechanism such as a whistle, horn, or light source (e.g., LED)to alert personnel that the oxygen tube has been disconnected. With apiezoelectric sensor the alerting mechanism need not be part of barbednipple 130, although it can be. The designer may elect to make thealerting mechanism electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical.Likewise, whistle 50 as depicted in FIGS. 1-3 could be replaced by avariety of alerting mechanisms, such as a piezoelectric sensorassociated with a horn or light connected to but not part of base 60.Moreover, such connection could be hardwired or wireless.

Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embraceall such modifications, variations, and alternatives as fall within thescope of the following claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connector for signaling that a tube with gasflowing through it has become disconnected from the connector,comprising: a fixed arm including a nipple connectable to the tube; anadapter for connecting the fixed arm to a source of gas; a swing armincluding a base and a spring connected to the base, the spring beingengageable with a latch for urging the swing arm toward the fixed arm; ahinge joining the fixed arm and the swing arm; a switch disposed in theswing arm and actuatable when the tube is no longer connected to thenipple; and a signal generator to actuate an alert that the tube hasbecome disconnected.
 2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the spring isa leaf spring.
 3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the alert is awhistle.
 4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is generallyflat, thin, and disposed generally perpendicular to the swing arm andthe fixed arm.
 5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is aunitary piece of thermoplastic.
 6. The connector of claim 5, wherein athreaded connection joins the fixed arm with a source of gas.
 7. Theconnector of claim 1, wherein the alert includes an electrical powersource, a switch, and an alert responsive to the switch.
 8. Theconnector of claim 7, furthering comprising an opening disposed near thealert.
 9. The connector of claim 8, wherein the alert comprises a soundsource wherein sound is transmitted through the opening.
 10. Theconnector of claim 9, wherein the sound source is disposed in the swingarm.
 11. The connector of claim 10, wherein the swing arm includes apassageway for sound to travel.
 12. The connector of claim 11, whereinthe swing arm includes an alarm reset.
 13. A connector for signalingthat tubing with gas flowing through it has become disconnected from theconnector, comprising: a fixed arm including a nipple connectable to thetubing, an adapter for connecting the fixed arm to a source of gas, anda latch; a swing arm movably connected to the fixed arm, the swing armincluding a base, and a spring connected to the base and engageable withthe latch for urging the swing arm toward the fixed arm, wherein theswing arm rotates toward the fixed arm when tubing becomes disconnected;a switch activated when the swing arm and the fixed arm rotate towardeach; an electronic signal generator responsive to the switch beingactivated; and, an alert responsive to a signal from the electronicsignal generator.
 14. The connector of claim 13, wherein the alertcomprises a sound source responsive to the signal generator.
 15. Theconnector of claim 14, wherein the sound source is disposed in or on theconnector.
 16. The connector of claim 13, wherein the alert is remotefrom the connector.
 17. The connector of claim 16, wherein the alert isa light source.